TEAM-HUMAN

1. (Download pdf) Team Human Team Human Justine Larbalestier, Sarah Rees Brennan ebooks | Download PDF | *ePub | DOC | audiobook #2247770 in Books HarperTeen 2013 2013-06-04Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 8.00 x .79 x 5.31l, .58 #File Name: 006208965X352 pages | File size: 69.Mb Justine Larbalestier, Sarah Rees Brennan : Team Human before purchasing it in order to gage whether or not it would be worth my time, and all praised Team Human: 3 of 3 people found the following review helpful. Not Sure if I'm Team Human or NotBy Reese'sI was so excited about reading this book when it came out. I wanted to love this book, I really did. I mean I have a huge obsession with all things Sarah Rees Brennan and vampires, so what was the problem?Still unsure at this point if I enjoyed this book or not.The humor was alright, storyline was great, the characters eh, I do love the cover though.Kit was my favorite

2. character. He was so cute, and so funny. I think he had the most personal growth.No love triangles so if you have an obsession with love triangles I would not suggest this book.Mel as a character was just not likeable to me. I mean I completely understood why she would be protective over her best friend Cathy, but after a while her personality became annoying to me.My favorite character was definitely Kit. I loved his personality, and how funny he was. I kind of wish he had been the main character.Team Humans take on vampires was very true to origin. The can't eat, they're cold, sounds like they don't reproduce or have...the sex, can't go out in sunlight, etc. They aren't blood sucking fiends, but you get the idea. Oh and I just love how this book mocks vampire human relationships. It's so very true that in most books the character who falls in live with the vampire, ditches her friends, and wants to become a creature of the night right away.However, despite all this I really loved the story line, and plot. There was so much going on with trying to get Cathy to stop seeing her vampire boyfriend, to reading about zombies. The mystery surrounding the characters lives was absolutely amazing, and kept me reading until all hours of the night. I also loved how all the characters were different for the most part. The main character wasn't white for once (I have nothing against white people just most books are set in a white world). And there was even an African- American in the book which was very exciting. Like I said nothing wrong with white people: half of my family is white, my boyfriend is white, many of my friends are white, you get the picture. I just enjoyed the change up!Favorite Quote: So true, except it would be peanut butter for me!"Also, vampires don't eat food. You never get to eat chocolate again. Ever. I'd rather die.Many many many people loved this book, it just wasn't one of my personal favorites. I hope you do pick up a copy for yourselves so you can decide for yourselves whether you like it or not.2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. More fun than is legal in most statesBy CustomerLike many reviewers here, I bought this book after reading the first chapter from Justine Larbalestier's blog. True confessions time: I'm a writer and a reader, and the multiple vampire-story references hooked me, as well as the fact that Larbalestier and her co-author Sarah Rees Brennan stood on opposite sides of the Vampire Question. I wanted to see how all of this would play out, especially I'd just finished writing a story with a similar premise. In short: skeptical best friend of vampire-obsessed girl tries to do something about her friend's apparently unhealthy relationship.Take the same premise and two writers, and you'll get fifteen variations. I adored this novel, and as a snarky sort myself, I felt like Mel was my long-lost baby sister. One thing I should note about Larbalestier (having since read a number of her other stories) is that she writes multicultural characters, and not in a token way either. For once, the publisher didn't white-wash a main character who isn't European-descended, and the choice of models really worked well; I actually pictured these folks in the movie that unrolled in my head as I read.(Oh yeah, and I'd totally pay money to go see the movie, if they didn't butcher the casting by making everybody white.)Hilarious dialogue, and really skillful interweaving of the dark, the comedic, and the heart-breaking. One thing I particularly liked in the world-building here was the subjective experience of vampires, who live in a sort of half-world (yes, I'm trying to avoid the word 'twilight,' even though that's what first comes to mind). The transition to vampire is not risk-free either, so even though vampires have become part of mainstream society, there are very strict discussions of the consent involved. One either becomes a vampire or goes zombie; this cranks the horror aspect a notch higher. It's unconstitutional to write vampires without reference to horror, and this story does not disappoint.Reader-self had a marvelous time, did not regret buying the hardback edition, and has been word-of-mouth recommending this one to anybody who likes vampires, comedy, vampire comedy, stories with snarky hilarious romance, or well, just good stories.Writer-self walked away with a whole pile of shiny new ideas, including what sort of people would enjoy 'life' ('unlife'? 'undeath'?) as a vampire.Twilight was a game-changer for the vampire genre, and this novel stands out as an example of how to deal with the aftermath of The Sparkly Ones, while tipping the hat to all the vamps that went before and what makes the undead so freaking scary.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. From "Team Bored" To "Team Totally Engaged"By CustomerMel is an American-born Chinese high school student who lives in the fictional city, New Whitby; a fairly unique city in that it is host to a large vampire population. Although vampires live in a segregated area (the Shade), it is a fairly peaceful co-existence and there is a fair degree of integration. That doesn't mean everyone likes them or accepts them, most notably, our protagonist Mel.It's not that Mel doesn't know any vampires or understand much about them. It's not that she wants them out of her school, or does not want any to date her best friend. Except, yes to all of that.One day, a vampire by the name of Francis arrives at her school, and Cathy, Mel's best friend since "forever", is immediately besotted, even if Francis is topped head to tail in a hazmat uniform.Mel is determined to not let Cathy and Francis develop a relationship. However, it rapidly becomes clear that Mel is fighting a losing battle: Cathy is walking around like a love- zombie, in too deep, and gentlemanly Francis, who is a century and a half her senior, seems to care quite a bit about Cathy too.If this book contained an early hook, I must have missed it. Nothing drew me in. The same after 20 pages, 30 pages, 40 pages, 50 pages... When I hit 100 pages I was beginning to wonder if anyone could write a book and get it published--don't agents usually talk about the first 30 pages as being key? If this was a first manuscript, I doubt many agents would have progressed past the first 3 pages. (For the record, I'm glad they did)Yes, it is a parody, but not a delicious one. The commentary is slow, obvious, and repeated ad nauseum; it does get better, smarter, but the smartest of it doesn't come until towards the end. (I note the 5-day diary comments)Parody aside, the characters were bland, and the initial conflict felt weak--I didn't care that a vampire had commenced attending her school, I didn't

3. really care that Mel didn't like him or his kind, and I most especially didn't care that Cathy was infatuated. Most of all, I didn't buy Mel's concern for love-struck Cathy's well-being and thus I didn't buy it as a good enough reason to commit to the book and push past the first 100 pages.I think all of this could have been solved if Mel had been made more likeable early on. As it was, she came off as uninteresting, bigoted, and rude. All of her 'comedic' one-liners fell flat for me (I have read a lot of Rees Brennan, so perhaps it's that I'm coming to expect her brand of one-liners, which are excellent in and of themselves; it's just that I find they fit in some characters' mouths, not in others). Mel repeated her concerns for her friend over and over again and took very unimpressive steps to address them. Very little, with the exception of minor verbal drama, occurred for a very long time. It was like reading Sweet Valley High.Then, suddenly, something actually happened... At nearly the half-way mark, we meet a new character--several new characters--and the book comes to life. Even better, Mel becomes likeable: it took Mel being liked by someone very likeable to be, you know, likeable as well. They had a lovely on-page chemistry: the effect Mel had on this person was intriguing. This particular character (who shall go unnamed lest I spoil the story) was the single most interesting part of the book: the authors considered an entirely new spin on the vampire/human experience. I liked it. It was fascinating, far more compelling than any parodying.From that point on, the book quickly grew on me, and I started to care about almost everyone. Characters began to show more personality (I note here the scene with Cathy and Mel in which Cathy makes something very clear to Mel and reveals she holds more than one expression and also possesses a backbone). The 'mystery' started to become fairly obvious and certain major decisions to be made by Cathy and That Certain Someone were also easy to guess, but in spite of all of that, I didn't care as I was finally emotionally invested. And Mel's unpredictable lack of tact actually starts to shine -- a spark of attitude that keeps you on your toes in what could have been a typical romance. I finally "got" what the authors always wanted her to be, and what they were hoping the book would gain from her personality: not just the voice of the parody, but someone true, bold, and unrelenting, and yet vulnerable in many ways as well. Someone who really did care for her friend, something I was told countless times, but it felt like lip-service and didn't feel authentic or significant until the end.Apparently, there is a sequel. I'm looking forward to it now. Readers who love vampire romances will be thrilled to devour Team Human by Justine Larbalestier and Sarah Rees Brennan. Team Human celebrates and parodies the Twilight books, as well as other classics in the paranormal romance genre. Mel is horrified when Francis Duvarney, arrogant, gorgeous, and undead, starts at her high school. Mels best friend, Cathy, immediately falls for the vampire. Cathy is determined to be with him forever, even if having him turn her could inadvertently make her a zombie. And Mel is equally determined to prove to her BFF that Francis is no good, braving the citys vampire district and kissing a cute boy raised by vampires as she searches evidence in this touching and comic novel. Laugh-out-loud funny, heart-wrenchingly sad and fist-pump-in-the-air triumphant, this sparkling gem proves that vampires, zombies and even teenagers at heart, were all on Team Human. (Kirkus s (starred review))The authors both uphold the conventions of the contemporary vampire romance and comment on it. (Voice of Youth Advocates (VOYA) (starred review))Smart and entertaining. Themes of honest friendship and freedom of choice mix with zombies, accidental romance, a diverse and complex cast, and sharply funny dialogue to create a thoroughly enjoyable read with a core of unexpected depth. (Publishers Weekly (starred review))Team Human is both fearsome and funny, a fresh entry in the popular genre. (The Horn Book)A witty, comedic parody that adds a fresh idea to the teen vampire novel trend. (Booklist)The perfect blend of humor, heart, brains (braaaaaaaainssss?) and thrills. (Bulletin of the Center for Childrens Books)A witty story of friendship that has a poignancy that is rare, coupled with a dry humor that is truly laugh-out-loud funny. (School Library Journal)Funny, scary, touching, and thoughtful in ways youd never expect: if you love vampire books, this is the book for youif you hate vampire books, this is also the book for you. (Maureen Johnson, New York Times bestselling author of The Name of the Star)No matter what team youre on, there are characters here youll cheer for. Suspense, humor, and romance: Team Human has it all! (Claudia Gray, New York Times bestselling author of Evernight)Incredibly fresh and originaland absolutely charming. (Cory Doctorow, New York Times Bestselling author)I could not be more a fan of this book than if I had a TEAM HUMAN cheerleader outfit ... brilliant, funny, sharply emotional! (Rachel Caine, New York Times bestselling author of the Morganville Vampire)From the Back CoverJust because Mel lives in a city founded by vampires, doesn't mean she knows any of the blood-drinking undead personally. But when her best friend falls in love with one, it's up to Mel to save her from a mistake she might regret for all eternity! Add in a mysterious disappearance, a cranky vampire cop, a number of unlikely romantic entanglements, and the occasional zombie, and soon Mel is hip-deep in an adventure that is equal parts hilarious and poignant.About the AuthorJustine Larbalestier is the author of Liar, How to Ditch Your Fairy, and the Magic or Madness trilogy, as well as the coeditor with Holly Black of Zombies vs. Unicorns. She and her husband, author Scott Westerfeld, divide their time between Sydney, Australia, and New York City. Sarah Rees Brennan was born and raised in Ireland. After earning her master's in creative writing in New York and doing library work in Surrey, England, she has returned to Dublin, Ireland, to write. She is the author of the novels The Demon's Lexicon,

4. The Demon's Covenant, and The Demon's Surrender, and her short story "Let's Get This Undead Show on the Road" appears in the collection Enthralled: Paranormal Diversions.